Mazunte
An immediate success when it opened in 2015, La Cuisine has a menu that changes daily according to the market-fresh ingredients that the dedicated French…
Must-see restaurants in Mexico
Puerto Vallarta
Drawing a regular nighttime crowd, this humble taquería near the beach is a solid contender for the best tacos al pastor (spit-cooked pork with diced…
Mazatlán
Pura Vida serves salads, sandwiches, Mexican snacks and vegetarian fare, but it's most sought out for its juices and smoothies. The menu is packed with…
Isla Mujeres
Here you get something different in music from the neighboring restaurants, Cuban son (a type of dance) selections as opposed to bad disco remixes. Apart…
Mazatlán
With a zillion different breakfast combos, ranging from North American standards to Mexican treats such as chilaquiles (tortilla strips drenched in salsa)…
San José del Cabo
The old-world, leafy courtyard setting combined with live music make this an atmospheric venue in which to eat, drink and be merry. Share a tapas plate…
Troncones
Dig your feet into the sand at this simple marisquería (seafood restaurant), watch the waves break on the pristine crescent of a beach and tuck into catch…
Palenque
A small, neat and slightly upscale (for Palenque anyway) restaurant serving up well-prepared steaks, seafood, salads and antojitos (snacks) under an…
Cancún
Always a crowd-pleaser on the strip, where cheap eats come few and far between, this small joint prepares beef, shrimp, fish and vegetarian burritos with…
Cuernavaca
Quiz any local on their favorite place to eat and you'll be directed to the thatched roof of homey Emiliano's. Complex mole and other Mexican sure things,…
La Paz
This seafront restaurant, fronted by its own taco stand, is always packed with locals here for the superb seafood. Consider ordering the lobster chowder…
Campeche
Nice, clean and quirky, with interesting art and curios around the multicolored walls, this cafe-gallery has tasty espresso drinks, plus a variety of…
Central Pacific Coast
San Pancho's premier breakfast spot slings reliable Mexican faves such as huevos divorciados (fried eggs in red and green salsa) and it does North…
Laguna Bacalar
Go straight for the taco de cochinita surtida (slow-cooked pork), which comes prepared on a handmade tortilla and with a little extra fat for good measure…
Zihuatanejo
As night comes down, these guys do wonders with the humble baked potato. Yes, there's a side show of tacos and fruit juices, but the specialty here is the…
Chiapas
Budget eaters should head to this central market for inexpensive and authentic street food. Take your pick from any one of the stalls in the comedor for…
Querétaro
This fun and slightly disheveled Mexican street-food themed place serves up every style of antojito (typical Mexican snacks) known in Mexico. It's busy,…
Celestún
A cut above the other seaside joints, La Palapa has an expansive dining area looking down to the sea, as well as a number of tables right on the beach…
Mérida
Even nonvegans usually give an enthusiastic thumbs up to this dinner-only restaurant, where three-course themed vegan meals are served in a serene…
Central Pacific Coast
A local favorite among the best of the seafood enramadas (thatch-covered, open-air restaurants) lined up along Playa El Borrego. Popular menu items…
Puerto Vallarta
Delicious tacos with shrimp, smoked marlin or fried fish are served at this super-popular streetside taquería. Pull up a stool and watch as the cooks…
Troncones
You don't get the ocean view at this mini-restaurant one block inland, so the sand floor and sea breeze will have to do. A local favorite, this family-run…
Central Pacific Coast
This place offers the chance to try something other than Mexican fare – and it overlooks a park, so you get a varied menu with a pleasant view. Dishes…
Pueblos Mancomunados
Call a day ahead to reserve lunch prepared at this friendly Mexican family's farm. It's a great opportunity to experience rural life up-close and learn…
Xalapa
With its cheery yellow walls, appealing courtyard dining space lit with fairy lights and comfy leather booths, this place has won itself many local fans…
Teotitlán del Valle
A talented husband-and-wife team run this inviting Zapotec restaurant and gallery where you can stop for traditional mole negro or mole estofado (stewed…
Zihuatanejo
Though it doesn't look much from outside, the chef here takes real pride in preparing delicious seafood dishes, such as great fish tartare, seared tuna…
Tapachula
You get to be the chef at this fun place – well, kind of anyway. Known far and wide for its salsas, it piles a dozen or more different kinds onto your…
Ixtapa
Step back in time at this long-standing institution, where you can order a banana split or soursop smoothie with your shrimp taco and chicken fajitas. It…
Cancún
A casual cafeteria-style place that's packed with locals and sometimes even has live music to boot. Grab a tray, point at a few items that look tasty, and…
Central Pacific Coast
With tables on the beach, this casual eatery is an inviting spot for coffee, breakfast or a fuller meal. Fish dishes – tuna brochettes, octopus stew and…
Isla Holbox
We would be remiss if we didn't mention the self-proclaimed creators of Holbox's famous lobster pizza, but locals say you can find much better pies with…
Valladolid
A delightful, casual little cafe just a few doors east of the ADO bus terminal, Squimz offers cakes, pastries and espresso drinks, as well as heartier…
South of Mexico City
Set in a 17th-century building filled with plants and koi ponds, Golondrinas offers an attractive atmosphere and excellent service. House specialties…
Puerto Vallarta
A gourmet deli in the marina area with big, bold modern art on the walls. It's popular among upmarket locals for creative panini, mixed carpaccios and…
Coyoacán & San Ángel
A quick and affordable taquería off the plaza, this place is known for its barbacoa and flautas ahogadas (fried rolled tacos dipped in a chile pasilla and…
Cancún
The house specialty here is the picaña (top sirloin cap), which can be ordered as a tender steak or sliced off a spit for tacos. They also do loaded baked…
Manzanillo
Above the fish-market building near the center of town, this place has very soothing views over foraging pelicans and bobbing boats. It does very tasty,…
Chetumal
Walk in here and you'll feel like you're in a Hollywood mafia movie: the service and decor are old-school, with stiff, formal waiters in starched shirts…
Zihuatanejo
A romantic Italian restaurant with a fabulous bird’s-eye view of the bay, Il Mare is well regarded for its Mediterranean pasta and seafood specialties,…
